Rocky Mountain National Park Things to Do

Overview Rocky Mountain National Park boasts various opportunities for wilderness overnight backpackers to get their boots on the trail. Highlighted below are helpful tips for backpacking beginners to the most advanced mountainous trekkers. Rocky Mountain National Park's wilderness is a busy place. People travel from all over the world to experience the natural phenomena that the park hosts. This means you must plan ahead. Before you start planning, please read the items below to ensure that Rocky can meet your expectations. Overnight Backpacking in the Wilderness Requires a Physical Permit All wilderness permits MUST be picked up in person during regular business hours by the permit holder at one of two Wilderness Office locations listed below: East Side of RMNP (near Estes Park, CO): Wilderness Office located near Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. Address: 1000 U.S. Hwy 36, Estes Park, CO 80517 West Side of RMNP (near Grand Lake, CO): Kawuneeche Visitor Center. Address: 16018 U.S. Hwy 34, Grand Lake, CO 80447 Food Storage Overnight wilderness backpackers are REQUIRED to secure all food items, scented items, and garbage inside a hard sided commercially made carry in/carry out bear-resistant food storage canister. This is required for RMNP wilderness areas due to recurring wildlife incidents. Other methods of food storage are not permitted in the park's wilderness at this time. Rocky Mountain National Park is a Designated Site Wilderness There is no dispersed camping allowed. Camp safely away from standing dead trees as near as is safely possible due to the silver metal arrowhead that marks the site. Campfires Are Prohibited Campfires are PROHIBITED in the wilderness. Use portable stoves only. Water Backpackers should purify all water before consuming. Ready to Plan For Your Trip? Once you are ready to begin planning for your next overnight wilderness backpacking adventure, please visit RMNP's Wilderness Overnight Backpacking webpage to see maps, a list of frequently asked questions, and more detailed trip planning information. When you are ready to make your reservations for summertime wilderness overnight backpacking trips, visit Recreation.gov to make your selections for Wilderness Permits.

Enter Rocky Mountain National Park via the Grand Lake Entrance. This entrance is the closest entrance to Grand Lake.

This picnic area on the edge of Harbison Meadows offers covered and uncovered picnic tables.

Hidden Valley is a great place for families to explore. During the summer, this is Junior Ranger Headquarters, open 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are multiple picnic tables located under a covered pavilion and a flush toilet restroom available.

Take this road to a relaxing destination with many picnic tables and excellent views of Mill Creek Basin below Longs Peak.

Beneath you runs the headwaters of the Colorado River! It provided water to the homesteaders who called this valley home over a century ago. What was the Homestead Act? With the goal of promoting development in the American West, President Lincoln passed a law in 1862 that promised any family or individual 160 free acres on the frontier given they inhabit the land for five years and “improve it”. Improvement was defined as clearing, building structures, cultivating plants and livestock, etc. How did the Homestead Act Impact the Kawuneeche Valley? While a total of 270 million acres were claimed under the Homestead Act, here in the Kawuneeche Valley only a little over two dozen claims were successfully staked between 1880 and 1927. This impacted roughly a quarter of the total area. There were many obstacles to improving the land, and farmers and ranchers saw little success converting the area to cropland or ranchland. There were poor, swampy soil conditions, a lack of accessible pastureland, and a natural competition between domestic livestock and native wildlife. Not only that, but day to day activities were impacted by long, cold winters. Imagine having to walk through three feet of snow to use the outhouse! Despite the harsh landscape surrounding them, homesteaders were keen to adapt the landscape to suit their needs, even though it was at the expense of the natural character of the ecosystems. They removed native vegetation and planted non-native plants and grasses. They also removed beavers and dammed, re-routed, and channelized rivers and streams. They built a device near this bridge, with a wheel and headgate, to divert water to pastures. If you stood in this place a hundred years ago, you would have seen a wetter landscape with willow dominated wetlands mixed with riparian forest. You would have seen an abundance of beavers, natural grasses instead of the non-native Timothy grass that was planted by homesteaders, and more channels and tributaries of the Colorado River. When the Holzwarth family arrived in 1917, they followed in the footsteps of other homesteaders and sought the goal of creating their own habitable oasis in the Rockies. But what was their background to qualify them as ranchers? And how did the family settle on the Kawuneeche Valley?

The Story of This Place Begins Long Before the Holzwarth Family’s Arrival to the Kawuneeche Valley For centuries, humans have been using the valley’s resources in search of both sustenance and economic prosperity. Today, we as park visitors are still using this land for adventure, mountain views, wildlife, or solitude within the wilderness. Thankfully, those who have come before us have preserved a portion of the Kawuneeche valley for us to walk back in time to acknowledge their struggles and triumphs. Keep in mind the environment where you come from, and how it impacts your own livelihood as you make your way across this landscape. Joe Fleshuts Before you stands Fleshuts Cabin, initially owned by Joe Fleshuts, a miner who built the cabin in 1902 to claim the land under the Homestead Act of 1862. This cabin illustrates a typical western homestead cabin of the time, with dovetailed log construction. Records indicate that Joe Fleshuts was unsuccessful at mining and had accrued significant debt leading up his disappearance in 1911. This ultimately resulted in the forfeiture of the property and resale to Henry Lehman, who then sold the property to John Holzwarth Sr. on July 22, 1918. Later a wooden floor was added to the cabin, and as early as 1922, the Fleshuts Cabin was used for the accommodation of guests. Alongside the miners and hunting guides who worked out of the mountains, the valley saw a stream of European settlers arriving to attempt to not just extract the landscape resources, but also transform them altogether.

What the Rocky Mountains may lack in agricultural value, they make up for in natural resources such as timber, wild game, and ice. There are two buildings, the Wood Shed and the Ice House, which were both used as storage areas for some of these materials, used to sustain the family. The Ice House Located next to the Taxidermy Shop, the Ice house structure was used to keep wild game and other perishable foods cool, using blocks of ice that averaged 100-125 pounds. The ice was primarily obtained from Grand Lake, located eight miles south of the homestead and hauled up and down the valley by horse drawn sleds. However, some blocks were cut closer to the homestead from the surrounding beaver ponds. Johnnie Holzwarth referred to it as the hardest work he had ever done in his life. He was paid $3.50 a day to prepare horses and drive them to Grand Lake to haul the blocks. He and other workers were paid an additional 4 cents for every ice block they cut, with an additional penny added if they took the ice block out of the lake. Why do you think this building has a sod roof? The Wood Shed Look across the path from taxidermy shop to view the woodshed. It was used to store chopped logs, used for heating and building the homestead, and sourced from nearby lodgepole pines. The lodgepole pine is a quality building material for the construction of primitive cabins such as these, due to their narrow straight trunks. The family harvested and processed all logs used in the constructing the homestead with their own personal sawmills. There were two sawmills: a smaller one on the north end of the homestead, which produced an average of 300,000 boards annually and was used for their personal buildings; and a larger, commercial operation that was located down valley, which processed an estimated 5 million feet of lumber in its lifetime. Do you think that this woodshed is big enough to store all the wood you'd need to keep warm through a Colorado mountain winter? The business practices and personalities of the Holzwarth family made them influential and interesting to guests and neighbors, but none of them were quite like Johnnie Holzwarth, the temporary resident of the next building.

Rocky Mountain National Park will implement another pilot timed entry permit reservation system during specific hours of the day, beginning on May 24 through mid-October. This system applies to all areas of the park.

Rocky Mountain National Park Park & Ride Transit Hub

Welcome to Holzwarth Historic Site! You are about to explore Holzwarth Historic Site, the spot where the Never Summer Ranch, Holzwarth Trout Lodge, and family homestead was operated by the Holzwarths through multiple generations from the 1910s to 1970s. Their story is one of immigration, innovation, and adaptability to not only survive, but to create their livelihood in the high Rocky Mountains. Located eight miles (12.8 km) from the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, Holzwarth Historic Site tells a story of dynamic history and rugged adventure. Through hard work, this area was transformed into a wilderness access point where people could reap the recreational benefits of the nearby mountains, similar to today. Things to Know Before Starting This self-guided tour is a one-mile roundtrip walk, taking you across the Kawuneeche Valley and looping through the Holzwarth Historic Site. Please be aware of changing weather, fast forming thunderstorms, and higher exposure to the UV rays typical of these high elevation environments. Sunscreen, bug spray, snacks, and water bottles are encouraged! Also, please note that this area is frequented by elk, moose, and other wildlife that call Rocky home. Please keep a respectful distance for their safety and yours, and never feed any wild animals. If wildlife are responding to you, you are too close.

The Mama Cabin was the first building constructed by the Holzwarths on this site. The cabin was started in 1917 as a primitive structure with one room and a sod roof for John Sr. and Johnnie to brave their first year here. It was gradually transformed to be the working headquarters for Sophia (Mama) and the Holzwarth Trout Lodge. Beginnings John Sr. and two friends traveled over this parcel of land in 1917, and alongside the teenaged Johnnie, spent that summer building the Mama Cabin, tent house and woodshed. They also spent time clearing the land for corrals. They spent that following winter together with kerosene lamps and a kitchen wood stove to stay warm. Mama and their daughters stayed in Denver during the winter. They continued to stay in Denver during winters due to their families and livelihoods being connected with the city. The Trout Lodge In 1919, John Sr. was in a wagon accident and crushed his hip, leaving him to use canes for the rest of his life. This event would limit his initial dream of turning the homestead into a horse ranch. When his friends from Denver repeatedly visited the homestead for hunting and fishing weekends, Mama and Johnnie realized there was profit to be made from the tourist draw of the Colorado River and the Rocky Mountains. The family adapted by turning the property into the Holzwarth Trout Lodge, charging $2 a day and $11 for a week. Family members would recall that it had always been a dream of Mama to run a lodge. Fun Facts About the Mama Cabin The logs were sourced from lodgepole pines from the surrounding woods. Upon initial construction, the cabin only had two rooms. The dining room and kitchen were added in 1921, as well as a new roof to replace the original sod. The cabin didn’t receive electricity until 1929, and it was from a generator. The Holzwarth Trout Lodge was a success not only due to the magnificent scenery and abundance of fish but also because of the hospitable character of the homestead and the family. At the forefront of creating this warm environment was Mama Holzwarth.

What Comforts Make Your House Feel Like You Were at Home? The décor? The people? Maybe the food? All of these factors were draws of Mama's hospitality for her guests at the Holzwarth Trout Lodge. As much as the major events in people’s lives tell the story of a place, so do their daily practices. We see the intersection of skill and hard work through the daily practices of Mama Holzwarth, who used this space in its later years as the primary kitchen and dining room. These areas provided not only nourishment and hominess for guests, but also acted as an extension of her German heritage. The meals that Mama prepared for guests were geared towards the American diet but were sourced from what was available in the surrounding landscape. She used plants and animals found in the nearby environment, since the transport of food and goods was difficult. For example, meals would consist of freshly caught trout, soup was made with dandelion greens, and meat roasts were made with deer. Meals were served three times a day at the dining hall. On the other hand, food prepared for Mama’s family and staff were traditionally German, with specialties such as liver dumplings, pig ear sandwiches, and spaetzle. A niece of Sophia’s once described ranch life as: “Whatever Mama did, she did well. Ambitious, proud, clean. She would give anything to you. But at the same time, she expected you to work...” It was reported that after a one-night stay at the lodge, her housekeepers would have to tear the cabins apart to clean them from top to bottom. Her family credits her as the one who initially had the dream to open a lodge in the mountains before they moved away from Denver. Hard work was a key factor to the Holzwarths success as businessowners, but adaptability was also an equally important characteristic that helped the family persevere in the untamed Rocky Mountains.

After John Sr.'s accident in 1919 that injured his hip and impacted his mobility, he found that his initial dream of turning the homestead into a horse ranch was gone. However, he found a way to adapt, and took up the taxidermy trade to find personal fulfillment and generate additional income for the family. The taxidermy workshop before you was built in 1922. Two years later, John Sr. obtained an official certificate from the Northwestern School of Taxidermy. If you are visiting the site while the buildings are open, you may be able to locate the certificate on the wall. Wild game was bountiful in close proximity to the homestead, which gave him ample opportunity for practice. One notable piece included a coat rack with the hooks being crafted out of mule deer legs. Many of his original tools are located inside including clamps, pliers, files, hack saw, draw knife, and hammers. Similar to how the abundance of game fueled John Sr.’s taxidermy, the availability of Rocky’s natural resources was also an essential part of the family’s livelihood.

The Tent Cabin belonged to Johnnie Holzwarth and was built by him the first summer he stayed at the homestead with his father. The original tent cabin was said to have been pitched in the valley between the cabins and modern-day Trail Ridge Road. Who Was Johnnie Holzwarth? John Holzwarth II, known as Johnnie, was the only child of John Sr. and Sophia who lived on the homestead full time. During the early years of the trout lodge, he charged $10 a day as a pack and fishing guide and claimed he could catch three trout per minute due to the sheer abundance of fish in the Colorado River. Johnnie quickly became a famed sportsman as he fished for trout, trapped smaller mammals for fur, and successfully hunted big game throughout his decades in the Kawuneeche Valley. He expanded the family business by leading the construction of the Never Summer Ranch adjacent to Highway 34 (Trail Ridge Road). He was able to do this after receiving a loan from his eldest sister Julia in 1929, who was by then a prominent businesswoman in Denver. He eventually managed over 70 horses and more than 30 staff. His natural storytelling abilities were well known during the prominent days of the dude ranch, especially during campfire cookouts and social hours when he entertained guests with talks of hunting, cowboying, and traveling tales. Later, this talent proved useful when the park needed to gathered information about the historic site, as Johnnie was a vivid primary source regarding the members of the family and their personal lives. Johnnie was married twice. He was first married to Carolyn Pratt in 1931, with whom he had three children. After her death, he married Wanda Fiecher in 1971. Johnnie died in 1983 at 80 years old. Johnnie was the driving character that transitioned the homestead from family frontier life to a modern enterprise with Western American culture at its forefront.

Explore the Holzwarth Historic Site When envisioning Rocky Mountain National Park, visitors may initially think of the preservation of mountains and wildlife. But the National Park Service also highlights the human history of a place and how people have impacted the environment. The story of the National Park Service in this area began in 1974 when Johnnie Holzwarth sold the property to the Nature Conservancy. The nonprofit had raised funding to purchase the Holzwarth Ranch with the intention of transferring the title to Rocky Mountain National Park after congressional funds were approved. The process was completed the next year in 1975. The land was designated as Holzwarth Historic Site and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on December 2, 1977. The National Park Service removed many of the buildings that were part of the Never Summer Ranch, but kept the Fleshuts Cabin and many of buildings that were part of the Holzwarth homestead. Interpretation and education started the year the Holzwarth family sold the property. In the early years, historical interpreters dressed in pioneer outfits and demonstrated homesteading skills such as bread baking, soap making, laundry, and wood chopping. Today, there are no longer living history demonstrations, but National Park Service staff and volunteers conduct interpretive tours and educational programming all while preserving the Holzwarth family legacy. The grounds of Holzwarth Historic Site are open year-round, and buildings are open during the summer months. Visitors are invited to come to this amazing site to see this legacy for themselves.

Picnic by the river! Feel free to sit and relax, have a good meal, or even go fishing.

The Twin Cabins Rearing livestock and growing crops ultimately proved to be an unsuccessful livelihood for homesteaders in the valley, so many relied on the natural appeal of the Rocky Mountains to create a thriving tourist industry. Which is similar to today. The Twin Cabins (Twin 1 and Twin 2) were constructed to be the first permanent guest accommodations for the original Holzwarth Trout Lodge. Twin 1 was built by John Sr. and Johnnie in 1921 and Twin 2 was built by Johnnie alone in 1923. The Rose Cabin, which is adjoined to Twin 1, was constructed in 1945 as an addition. The hospitality industry was not new to the Kawuneeche Valley at the time of the Holzwarths arrival. The first guest lodge was a mountain trekking outpost run by “Squeaky” Bob Wheeler, famous for hosting President Theodore Roosevelt in 1905 on a bighorn sheep hunt. Along with the Holzwarth Trout Lodge, there were other tourist lodges such as the Green Mountain (Schooners) Ranch, the Kawuneeche Ranch, and the Pontiac Lodge/ Montane Ranch, scattered across the valley from Grand Lake to the Little Yellowstone Canyon. Over the years, the Holzwarth family had to adapt to tourists visiting the area, with interest gradually moving away from hunting and fishing to the “cowboy experience” provided by dude ranches. The Never Summer Ranch was a dude ranch that was established, built, and run by Johnnie from 1929 to the 1970s. The site had 14 buildings, including barns and corrals, lodge, guest cabins, and Johnnie’s home. Many of those buildings were originally located near Fleshuts Cabin and were moved, or no longer exist. The Holzwarth family offered their guests campfires, trail rides, hikes, rodeo presentations, and more. After the overwhelming success of the dude ranch, the cabins of the original homestead were used as housekeeping cabins and additional lodging. Along with the responsibilities of running the Never Summer Ranch and Holzwarth Trout Lodge, the family mastered a variety of skills required for successful living in the Rocky Mountains, using the flora and fauna of the surrounding environment.

John Gottlieb Holzwarth “Papa” (1865-1932) Patriarch of the Holzwarth family, John Holzwarth immigrated from Germany to the United States in 1879 at the age of 14, as an indentured apprentice to a baker in St Louis, Missouri. After a few months he ran away to Texas, barely speaking English, where he travelled and worked ranch jobs such as horse wrangler and cook. Shortly thereafter in 1881 he found himself in Colorado in the Middle Park area, in modern Kremmling. He lived with his brother who drove a mail stagecoach between the towns of Hot Sulphur Springs and Georgetown. He had initially tried to homestead 80 acres that now lie under Lake Granby, but left the area in 1893 to move to Denver and work for Tivoli Brewing. Sophia (Lebfromm) Holzwarth “Mama” (1870-1954) Sophia immigrated to the United States in 1890 at the age of 20 from the German state of Baden. She worked as a housekeeper in Denver for affluent families, contracted to work 14-hour days at a rate of $20 per month. She was introduced to John Holzwarth by her younger brother, who was his coworker at Tivoli Brewing in Denver. John and Sophia Holzwarth John Sr. and Sophia demonstrated a substantial amount of courage and determination in their lifetimes, establishing a stable life for themselves in the United States. The two were married in 1894 at the St. Elizabeth Church in Denver. They had five children in total: Christina (1895-1895; died in infancy), Julia (1896-1967), Maria (1898-1919), Sophia (1900-1971), and Johnnie (1902-1983). They operated a saloon in Denver from 1897-1916 called the Old Corner. Their business proved to be profitable, allowing the Holzwarths relative affluence during this time. At one point, they took a trip to Germany to reconnect with family and allow their children to experience their home culture, a rarity for working-class immigrants at the time. When Colorado’s state prohibition laws went into effect in 1916, it forced them to convert the saloon to a grocery, which proved less successful. In addition, anti-German sentiment as a result of World War I made Denver an even more hostile place for the family to reside. The combination of these factors made retreating into the mountains an appealing option. The Holzwarth family began their homesteading journey in 1917.

West Horseshoe Park is a low-land meadow with small lakes, great views of the Mummy Mountain Range, and top-notch wildlife viewing opportunities.

The Lake Irene Picnic Area is an ideal location to enjoy Rocky Mountain National Park’s sub-alpine ecosystem. There are several picnic tables available at this location and it is just a short walk to Lake Irene.

Lava Cliffs features a rare section of volcanic rock in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Get panoramic views of Rocky Mountain National Park! Along the Trail Ridge Road, use this pull out to see a scenic vista of ‘many parks’, meaning low-land meadows.

Medicine Bow Curve provides a great location to view the northernmost areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. Looking to the horizon, visitors will see the Medicine Bow Mountains and the state of Wyoming.

At 10,759 feet, this mountain pass has exceptional views of Poudre Lake, and is located on the continental divide!

Get awe-inspiring views of the Rocky Mountains! Moraine Park is located and accessed off of Bear Lake Road.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery without the distraction and hassle of traffic congestion and limited parking.

For many, winter is their favorite time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. From late October till late May, blankets of snow gently cover the park's montane meadows and mountain peaks. It's a quieter time of year. Yet the park is alive with activity. This is the time of year when people come to enjoy snowshoeing, winter hiking, bird watching, ice fishing, cross-country skiing and more! When prepared for the cold weather and conditions, it's easy to enjoy solitude and the natural sounds of the park while out on a winter wilderness adventure. With elevations in the park ranging from 7,800 feet to over 14,000 feet above sea level, winter conditions can greatly vary in the Rocky Mountains. Be prepared for snowpacked trails, cold temperatues, and winter fun! Remember to pack warm layers of clothing, traction devices and depending how how deep the snow is, bring a set of snowshoes. Before setting out on any winter wilderness adventure, make sure you and all members of your group are avalanche aware and comfortable with winter routefinding skills. Have questions? Stop by one of the park's visitor centers to speak with a park ranger. Learn about the latest trail and road conditions before setting out into the park.

Rocky Mountain National Park has three different shuttle routes. Bear Lake & Moraine Park Shuttles, which operate along Bear Lake Road, and the Hiker Shuttle. RMNP's Hiker Shuttle offers service between the town of Estes Park and RMNP's Park & Ride Transit Hub.

Ride Rocky's Shuttle to Explore Destinations on the Bear Lake Road Corridor! Bear Lake Shuttle Route Dates Daily Service: May 23 - October 19 Schedule 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Buses run every 10-15 minutes Plan Ahead: The last Bear Lake Shuttle departs from the Bear Lake Stop at 7:30 p.m. and returns to Park & Ride. Fee Free Route Shuttle Stops (In Order): Park & Ride (Bierstadt Lake Trailhead - This Shuttle Stop is Closed. Use Park & Ride) Glacier Gorge Trailhead Bear Lake Moraine Park Shuttle Route Dates Daily Service: May 23 - October 19 Schedule 7 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Buses run every 60 minutes Plan Ahead: Last Moraine Park Shuttle departs from Fern Lake Stop at 7:30 p.m. and returns to Park & Ride. Note - if you need to get to Bear Lake or Glacier Gorge Parking Areas, use the 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. shuttle Fee Free Route Shuttle Stops (in order): Park & Ride Transit Hub Sprague Lake/Glacier Creek Stables Glacier Basin Campground Park & Ride Transit Hub Hollowell Park Tuxedo Park Moraine Park Campground (C Loop) Cub Lake Trailhead Fern Lake Bus Stop

Bierstadt Lake Parking Area and Shuttle Stop are Temporarily Closed Until Further Notice for the Construction of a New Vault Toilet The Park & Ride Shuttle Stop is the closest stop to Bierstadt Trailhead on the Bear Lake Shuttle Route. Park & Ride is located 1.5 miles one-way from the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead. Shuttle service is also available on the Moraine Park Route at Sprague Lake, located 1 mile away. Please see map for details. The closes toilet facility is also located at Park & Ride.

Timed Entry reservations are required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park during certain times of the day. There are two different options available to choose from: Timed Entry or Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road. Timed Entry reservations provide access to all areas of the park located outside of the Bear Lake Road Corridor.

Depending on where you would like to visit inside Rocky Mountain National Park and what time of day you plan to arrive, you might need a timed entry reservation. There are two different reservation options available to choose from: Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road or Timed Entry.

This place describes the Frequently Asked Questions regarding Rocky's Timed Entry Permit Reservation System.

Along Trail Ridge Road, stop at the Rainbow Curve viewing area to appreciate a varied and spectacular view.

At 12,110 feet, this stop along Trail Ridge Road is on the “Roof of the Rockies.”

A few miles from the Fall River Entrance, Sheep Lakes offers a dramatic view of Horseshoe Park.

Sprague Lake is located along Bear Lake Road. Enjoy a walk around Sprague Lake, picnic tables, and restroom facilities.

Stories of the Moon & Stars The moon and stars have inspired humans and their stories for thousands of years. Join us on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park at the Moraine Park Discover Center Parking Area for an evening under the stars. This program begins at 8:30 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. Stories of the Moon & Stars will take place on the following days: Tuesday, June 3 Tuesday, July 1 Tuesday, July 29 This program begins with a Park Ranger-led program that features fun family-friendly activities for all ages. As the sun sets and twilight transitions to night, enjoy looking up at different features of the night sky using telescopes provided by a great team of volunteer astronomers.

At 11,796 feet, the Alpine Visitor Center is the highest visitor center in the National Park Service! Extreme weather can change the status of Trail Ridge Road at any time—be ready to adjust your travel plans if needed.

Stop along Upper Beaver Meadows road to enjoy a secluded picnic area overlooking peaceful meadows with the backdrop of the Continental Divide.

Rocky's Bear Lake Road corridor is a great place to explore and enjoy fall colors! In September and October, see the hills come alive with the leaves of aspen and other plants changing from green to hues of gold, orange, and red. Aspen in the Moraine Park, Hollowell Park, and Glacier Gorge areas are currently transitioning from green to gold. Many aspen at Bear Lake and at higher elevations are popping with color.

Fall in Rocky Mountain National Park is marked by shorter days, cooler temperatures, bugling elk, and shifting colors. At high elevations, the alpine tundra is cloaked in deep red and purple hues as plants go dormant for the season. Across the park, deciduous trees like aspen and cottonwood adopt their gold and orange palette before losing their leaves completely.

Have you already made a reservation for your wilderness backpacking trip? Or do you have questions about wilderness backpacking? Great! Park Rangers and volunteers at Rocky Mountain National Park's Wilderness Office are ready to help answer your questions. This is also where you will go on the east side of RMNP to pick up your Wilderness Backpacking Permit. Overnight Backpacking in the Wilderness Requires a Physical Permit If you (or someone else in your group) has made a reservation on Recreation.gov for a wilderness backpacking permit, then before starting your trip, the permit holder is required to stop at one of Rocky's Wilderness Offices and pick up your wilderness backpacking permit in person during regular business hours. On the east side of RMNP, the Wilderness Office is located near Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. Address: 1000 U.S. Highway 36, Estes Park, CO 80517 Phone Number: 970-586-1242 Hours: Open year-round: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily

Have you already made a reservation for your wilderness backpacking trip? Or do you have questions about wilderness backpacking? Great! Park Rangers and volunteers at Rocky Mountain National Park's Wilderness Office are ready to help answer your questions. This is also where you will go on the west side of RMNP to pick up your Wilderness Backpacking Permit. Overnight Backpacking in the Wilderness Requires a Physical Permit If you (or someone else in your group) has made a reservation on Recreation.gov for a wilderness backpacking permit, then before starting your trip, the permit holder is required to stop at one of Rocky Mountain National Park's Wilderness Offices and pick up your wilderness backpacking permit in person during regular business hours. On the west side of RMNP, the Wilderness Office is located inside Kawuneeche Visitor Center. Address: 16018 U.S. Hwy 34, Grand Lake, CO 80447 Phone Number: 970-586-1521 (summer season only) Hours: Open daily from late May to October 31: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Located off the road to Endovalley, the Alluvial Fan is a beautiful cascade of water flowing down through a boulder field.

Astronomy in the Park Join us on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park at Park & Ride Parking Area for an evening under the stars. The program begins at 8:30 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. Astronomy in the Park will take place on the following days: Friday, June 27 Friday, July 18 Friday, July 25 Friday, August 15 Friday, August 22 The evening begins with a Park Ranger-led program focused on wonders of the night sky as the sun begins to set. As twilight transitions to night, enjoy looking up at features of the night sky using telescopes provided by an amazing team of night sky volunteers.

Bear Lake Road ends 9.2 miles from the junction with Trail Ridge Road at the Parking Area for Bear Lake. From the parking area, take a short walk on a marked path to reach Bear Lake itself. Bear Lake offers spectacular scenic views of Bear Lake, Hallett Peak and the surrounding mountain peaks.

At the Beaver Creek Picnic Area visitors will find a quiet spot for picnicking in the scenic Kawnueeche Valley.

Enter Rocky Mountain National Park via the Beaver Meadows Entrance. This entrance is the closest entrance to Estes Park.

Today, we encourage you to take a moment to appreciate the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. Look at the Cor-ten steel that makes up its structure. It weathers to a rich red color that matches the trunks of the ponderosa trees nearby. The architect of this building, E. Thomas Casey, chose Cor-ten "so that the structure of the building itself becomes its primary architectural expression." Cor-ten was a new material in 1967, when Beaver Meadows Visitor Center was constructed. In addition to exposing the structural steel, Mr. Casey designed the horizontally-oriented building to fit into its surroundings and wanted people to connect with the park through architecture. Mr. Casey told us "this is the way [that] architecture ought to be. You know, that what you see is what you get." If this kind of passionate talk about architecture sounds familiar, it is because Mr. Casey was a fellow of Frank Lloyd Wright. Through the visible stone, steel and glass construction, the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center is an example of the continued influence of Wrightean design principles and mid-20th century modern architecture in national parks. This building is also a National Historic Landmark!

Beaver Ponds Picnic Area is an excellent location to enjoy the peacefulness of the Kawnueeche Valley.

At Beaver Ponds on Trail Ridge Road visitors can see, hear, and feel one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s wetland environments.

The Bowen-Baker Trailhead provides easy access to the meadow in the Kawuneeche Valley.

The Bustang is back and Rocky Mountain National Park is pleased to partner with CDOT again this summer. CDOT's Bustang to Estes Route will be providing summer seasonal transportation service to Rocky Mountain National Park's Park & Ride Transit Hub on Saturdays and Sundays beginning May 27 through October 1, 2023.

The Colorado River Trail Head is the access point for many trails in the northwest corner of Rocky Mountain National Park.

At 10,013 feet, Deer Mountain is encompassed in a forest of sweet-smelling ponderosa pines.

Stop at the Endovalley picnic area to enjoy a meal or quiet solitude.

Transit from Estes Park Visitor Center, located in Estes Park, Colorado to Rocky Mountain National Park

The Bear Lake Road Corridor is a gateway to incredible scenic views, a variety of hiking trails great for all ages, spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities and camping. There is a reason the Bear Lake Road Corridor is one of the most visited areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. Bear Lake Road is a paved road that is 9.2-miles. It climbs in elevation from 8,200 ft (2,500 m) at the junction with Trail Ridge Road to 9,475 ft (2888 m) at the Bear Lake Parking & Trailhead.

Enter Rocky Mountain National Park via the Fall River Entrance on the east side of the park.

Fall River Entrance Construction Project A major construction project is underway on a new and improved entrance station at the Fall River Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Fall River Entrance is one of two major entrance stations on the east side of the park and is located on U.S. Highway 34, just inside the park boundary. What to Expect? During this major construction project, only one lane at Fall River Entrance will be operational to enter the park and one lane to exit. Park visitors are encouraged to avoid the Fall River Entrance and use the Beaver Meadows Entrance. During this major project, park visitors should expect wait times at both major east side entrance stations. Fall River Visitor Center Remains Open Fall River Visitor Center and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Nature Store are open during this construction project. Why is this Project Important? Originally designed only for summer operations, the existing Fall River Entrance Station was constructed in the 1960s. These existing facilities no longer meet the safety or operational needs of the park today. When the entrance station was designed, the park had approximately one and a half million annual visitors. By 2019, annual visitation almost tripled, to over 4.6 million annual visitors. Critical infrastructure improvements are needed to improve visitor access and convenience, reduce traffic congestion, and provide a safe and efficient space for park employees. What will be Improved? A new office and three new entrance station kiosks, with proper ventilation, will be constructed A new park entrance sign will be installed, which will include a small formal parking area. A fast pass lane will be added and the road will be widened, which should improve visitor wait times and the visitor experience while entering through the Fall River Entrance. This project will also rehabilitate and replace failing water and wastewater infrastructure that serves Fall River Entrance and the Bighorn Ranger Station. The on-site wastewater treatment system will be replaced, and other upgrades will occur. A culvert crossing Fall River Road is severely deteriorated and does not meet 100-year flood standards, it will be upgraded and replaced during this project.

Fall River Pass Historic District The Fall River Pass Historic District is located high above tree line in Rocky Mountain National Park. The 137- acre district includes two distinct developed areas: the visitor service area at Fall River Pass proper and the Fall River Pumphouse and Catchment Basin, which sits in the valley below. This district includes 131 acres of alpine tundra, a significant character-defining feature. The Alpine Visitor Center, at 11,795 feet above sea level, is the highest elevation visitor center in the National Park System. The Fall River Pass Historic District is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places at the state level with a Period of Significance from 1920 to 1966. This span reflects the evolution of this visitor destination from the arrival of the Old Fall River Road through the first full year of operation for the Alpine Visitor Center during the Mission 66 program. This complex has developed from a basic stop for visitors into a comprehensive visitor experience focused on the alpine tundra ecosystem. The Alpine Visitor Center (1965) is the architectural and functional highlight of the district. The district is significant for design, embodying the principles of both NPS Rustic and Park Service Modern styles. Additional Information The Fall River Pass Historic District tells the story of how the Rocky Mountain National Park visitor experience has evolved over time. The National Park Service started developing the pass during the 1920s. The scale and design of the Old Fall River Road and the Ranger Station reflect a period of limited financial resources. There were few formal trails and visitors could wander the alpine tundra to take in views, winds, and occasional summer snow storms. After World War II, visitation at Rocky Mountain National Park increased dramatically. Scientists began to study visitor impacts to the alpine tundra and, with an influx of funding for the Mission 66 campaign, development focused on expansion of visitor services and facilities. The Alpine Visitor Center illustrates the tenets of the Mission 66 program that sought to modernize the national parks by providing “one stop” to meet a ranger, visit a museum, buy a souvenir, and experience the natural environment. Along with buildings, the landscape became “hardened” to contain visitors and preserve the alpine tundra. Change has continued in this district, though with less intensity, with seasonal maintenance and improvements focused on providing for ever-increasing visitation and responding to the weather-related challenges of keeping high elevation facilities in visitor-ready condition. The two distinct periods that shaped the district’s development also resulted in two different yet compatible architectural expressions. The earliest resources are good to excellent examples of the NPS Rustic style, simple buildings with local stone exteriors that blend in well with the relatively undeveloped (no formalized trails and the unpaved Fall River Road) surrounding landscapes. NPS Rustic architecture buildings reflect their 1920 to 1944 dates of construction. Key construction materials, employed both for roadside features and Rustic-style buildings, included native stone and logs. These buildings also employed handcrafted workmanship and featured elements such as overhanging eaves, small paned windows, and stone chimneys. This architectural expression, particularly popular in the national parks, represented an extension of a prevalent domestic style for recreational cabins and lodges. This same style, suited to local material requirements associated with New Deal programs, experienced a revival during the 1930s and remained popular at the park during the entire 1920 to 1944 period. Rustic style resources within the Fall River Pass Historic District include the Ranger Station that temporarily housed a small museum; the Fall River Rest House, an early shop with numerous Native American curios and a small area for museum displays (later expanded into the Trail Ridge Store); and infrastructure improvements such as the Pumphouse and Catchment Basin and roadside fencing. The landscape of this period was less hardened and constrained, allowing visitors extensive access to the adjacent alpine tundra. Just as Mission 66 changed interpretation and visitor services, it also shaped architecture and landscapes in the park. A new architectural style, Park Service Modern, continued to emphasize harmony with the natural environment while introducing the concepts of functionality and technological advances associated with the International style or the A-frame form. Key construction materials included reinforced concrete, steel frames, and large expanses of glass. To make sure these resources did not distract from the natural landscape that visitors came to see, many designers chose natural stone or log, the same materials also popular for Rustic style architecture, as veneers or decorative elements. The Alpine Visitor Center within the Fall River Pass Historic District exemplifies all of these architectural trends. Well-known Denver architect William C. Muchow’s design used a stone veneer on the exterior and incorporated large window walls on two sides. The cross-gabled roof is covered in wood shakes with a distinctive gridwork of peeled logs that offers extra weight and protection in harsh winds. This center combines Modern architectural elements with some natural materials, allowing the building to complement not only the existing buildings and structures but also the natural environment. Muchow also employed technology and engineering techniques for the building, designing the new facility to survive the realities of the harsh environmental conditions. Principles of Modern design also impacted the Fall River Pass landscape during this period. The park built a paved parking lot, a concrete plaza and sidewalks, and stone-veneered retaining walls to keep visitors from wandering freely across the alpine tundra. Still, visitors created their own trails to get directly to the top of the highest point in the area.

Enjoy sweeping views of the Kawnueeche Valley and the Never Summer Range from this spectacular overlook.

At 11,716 feet, Forest Canyon Overlook offers a splendid panorama. Take a five minute walk down the paved asphalt trail to see Forest Canyon and its tributary canyons, Hayden Gorge and Gorge Lakes.

At 12,048 feet elevation, Gore Range Overlook offers spectacular views Rocky Mountain National Park’s highest peaks, the Never Summer Mountains, and the Gore Range.

Bear Lake is seen in winter and spring. This lake and the surrounding trail is typically covered with snow from late October through late May. Be prepared for snow and ice on the trail. Traction devices and waterproof boots are advised.

Glacier Creek thunders down this spectacular waterfall.

Built between 1913 and 1920, a drive up Old Fall River Road is an incredible 9.4-mile scenic drive. This unpaved road begins next to Endovalley Picnic Area and ends at the summit of Fall River Pass and in the parking area for Alpine Visitor Center. At Alpine Visitor Center, use Trail Ridge Road to return to the east side of RMNP.

The Cub Lake Trail offers scenic views of Moraine Park and nearby mountains. It is a great trail for viewing wildlife.

Enjoy scenic views and wildlife viewing opportunities while driving on Trail Ridge Road. This is a 48 mile scenic drive that connects the communities of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Cresting at an elevation of 12,183 feet above sea level, Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States.

The Alpine Ridge Trail is currently closed due to significant snow and ice on the trail.

Located on the East Inlet Trail, this hike through the montane ecosystem leads to a small, scenic waterfall. In the spring and early summer, enjoy a variety of wildflowers in the meadow and along the trail.

Cross-country skiing can be an enjoyable way to experience the winter season at Rocky. There is typically enough snow for skiing beginning in December through late March. Visit the west side of the park and enjoy a variety of cross-country skiing terrain.

Enjoy the winter wonderland that Rocky has to offer from late October to early June. When there is hard-packed snow and ice on the trails, don't forget to use traction devices!

Snowshoeing

Junior Ranger Headquarters at Hidden Valley will open for the season beginning on Saturday, May 18. Hidden Valley is on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park along Trail Ridge Road, approximately 8 miles from the Fall River and Beaver Meadows entrances to the park.

Lily Lake Loop is a 0.8 mile loop trail with excellent views of Lily Lake and nearby mountain peaks.

Wildlife Viewing Tips

Learn About Winter Driving in Rocky Mountain National Park

Take a step back in time at the Holzwarth Historic Site, the spot where the Never Summer Ranch, Holzwarth Trout Lodge, and family homestead was operated by the Holzwarth family for multiple generations from the 1910s to the 1970's. The Holzwarth Historic Site is located on the West Side of Rocky Mountain National Park eight miles (12.8 km) from Kawuneeche Visitor Center.

Feel like you're on top of the world! Take a hike on the Tundra Communities Trail and experience sweeping mountain views and the beauty of the alpine tundra ecosystem.

From Bear Lake Trailhead, pass by Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and steadily climb in elevation to scenic Emerald Lake.

At an elevation of 10,006 feet, the summit of Deer Mountain offers scenic views of Longs Peak, Upper Beaver Meadows, Moraine Park and Estes Park.

Located at an elevation of 10,343 feet, at Sandbeach Lake enjoy scenic views of the lake with Mount Meeker towering above to the north. Copeland Mountain can also be seen in the distance.

This lake is a hidden gem in the Bear Lake Corridor of the park! This lake sits atop a forested moraine, a ridge composed of material left behind thousands of years ago by receding glaciers.

Hike to the top of Flattop Mountain and the Continental Divide! With over 2,000 feet of elevation gain, this is one of the most difficult trails in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Fishing

Sprague Lake Loop meanders around Sprague Lake. There are plenty of benches and lookouts over the lake to stop, reflect, and enjoy the view.

This hike ends at a crystal clear alpine lake named after a founder of the national park, Enos Mills.

From Bear Lake, hike to Lake Haiyaha and see incredible views of the Glacier Basin area.

Gem Lake is a hidden gem tucked away in the vast field of granite domes that comprise the Lumpy Ridge area. Without an inlet or outlet stream, Gem Lake is a shallow pond filled in strictly by trapped snowmelt and rainfall.

From the Bear Lake Trailhead, Dream Lake is a steady climb through aspen groves and ponderosa pine.

Copeland falls is the most easily accessible waterfall in the Wild Basin area. From the Wild Basin trailhead, visitors will stroll along the St. Vrain river as it winds through the spectacular Wild Basin towards Upper and Lower Copeland Falls.

During the months of September and October, elk herds are gathering in lower elevation areas for fall mating season. This time is also known as the elk rut! Bull elk can be very aggressive as they protect the cows and young in their herd.

The hike to Ypsilon Lake features unique terrain in Rocky Mountain National Park.

This trail runs along the Big Thompson River, you will find plenty of shade as well as blooming wildflowers throughout spring and summer.

A well sought-after destination, The Loch is one of three spectacular lakes comprising the scenic Loch Vale.

The hike from Bear Lake Trailhead to Odessa Lake offers hikers a gateway to the diverse scenery of Rocky Mountain National Park.

On this trail, hikers will pass along the lush, marshy Big Meadow, and through forests of lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, subalpine fir, and Engelmann spruce on their way to the falls.

This trail passes along the lush, marshy Big Meadow, and through forests of lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, subalpine fir, and Engelmann spruce.

Beginning in the alpine tundra with chances to see pikas and marmots.

Chasm Lake offers spectacular views of granite walls and water just below the famous Long’s Peak, the highest peak in the park.

Enjoy the cascading falls of Chasm Falls.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the North Inlet stream water tumbling down 100 feet of pure granite.

Hike along the eastern shore of Shadow Mountain Lake. In summer, this trail provides an opportunity to find wildlife and cool breezes coming off the water. In the Autumn, visitors can enjoy beautiful, fall colors.

The Coyote Valley trail is a wide, wheelchair and stroller accessible trail. It is perfect for anyone looking for amazing views of the Kawuneeche Valley or to see the mighty Colorado River.

From the Fern Lake Trailhead, the hike to Fern Lake is around 9 miles round-trip with 1,453 feet of elevation gain. Given the length and terrain, this hike is best suited for moderately experienced hikers.

Rocky Mountain National Park has many wonderful picnic areas to choose from on both the east and west sides of the park. 

Listen to the gentle flow of the North Saint Vrain Creek along the trail to Ouzel Falls.